Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Can you help eliminate 100 tons of NOx, 100 tons of SOx and 6 tons of particulates per year from our neighborhoods' air, and our kids' lungs?

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is hearing a case that would set electricity rates allowing for cruise ships to "plug in" to the electricity grid while in port at the "Brooklyn Cruise Terminal" in Red Hook.

Currently, these ships "idle" constantly in port (as do the container and cargo ships), burning an extra dirty form of diesel that is at least 90 times more polluting than that used by trucks. 1 ship/day = 12,000 cars/day.

The proposal to "plug in" the cruise ships to "shore power" while in port would eliminate these emissions from the ships visiting the Cruise Terminal, and the cruise operators have committed to doing this, but they need an appropriate power rate to make it work, economically.

Even though this will not be the case with the container and cargo ships at the Container Terminal, it is an important first step in eliminating these harmful pollutants from our air.

Can you write an email or a letter to the PSC stating your support for establishing a Con Edison "stand-by" electricity rate that cruise ships can use?

The details are below - email and mailing address - and important information in the last three lines (bold).

Please take note of the PSC Case No. 09-E-0428, which should be included in any correspondence, and the specifics of how the letters should be addressed.(They should be addressed to either the chairman of the PSC or one of the commissioners as listed below - your choice - directed through the secretary.)

Thanks so much for your support on this important matter. Please spread the word.

Here are the details -

Comments can be directed to any one of the following Public Service Commission members, and routed through the Secretary:

Send you letters to the Public Service Commission at the address below:

Secretary to the CommissionHon. Jaclyn A. BrillingSecretary to the CommissionNew York State Public Service CommissionEmpire State PlazaAgency Building 3Albany, NY 12223-1350Phone: (518) 474-6530Fax: (518) 486-6081

Chris Ward, Executive Director, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey : "We estimate that the annualhealth benefits emissions reductions arising from a switch from on board generation to shore power at the BCT (Brooklyn Cruise Terminal), adjusted for Kings County, approaches $9 Million" (full statement here)

Plugging a container ship in to shore-power "takes enough pollution out of the air to equal 33,000 cars” - Mayor Bob Foster

Ships are “floating smokestacks that deliver soot and smog straight into the heart of our most crowded coastal cities” - Environmental Defense Fund

From our own Federal Government - via the Environmental Protection Agency - the E.P.A.

a. Shore power is a crucial step for cleaning our air and improving health of New Yorkers.

b. Ocean going vessels that dock in New York City typically burn high sulfur fuel in diesel engines to generate auxiliary power.

This combustion results in exhaust containing NOx, SOx and particulates and such exhaust is a likely carcinogen.

A Port Authority study shows that use of shore power at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal would annually eliminate 100 tons of NOx, 100 tons of SOx and 6 tons of particulates

c. New York City air quality is among the worst in the nation and port related emissions are meaningful and avoidable."

d. Such air emissions are harmful to the pubic generally, and especially to our children, the elderly, people with lung disease, those who exercise outside, and low-income and minority communities located near ports.

e. Implementation of a shore power tariff is consistent with economic development in New York City.

f. Implementation of an appropriate Shore Power Tariff in New York City would provide an impetus for ship owners to invest in ship-side Shore Power equipment and for widespread use of this technology in other ports on the East Coast.

g. None of the Company's tariff's accurately account for the unique service characteristics of ships that dock in New York City.

h. A high-rate setting working group charged with delivering a shore power recommendation should be convened quickly.